Chapter 4

Unit-1
Describe the types of optical fiber cable
A transmission media in data communication is a physical path between the sender and the
receiver and it is the channel through which data can be sent from one location to another.
Data can be represented through signals by computers and other sorts of telecommunication
devices. These are transmitted from one device to another in the form of electromagnetic
signals. These Electromagnetic signals can move from one sender to another receiver through a
vacuum, air, or other transmission media.
Transmission media functions as a physical path between the sender and the receiver in data
communication. For example, in a copper cable network, bits are available in the form of
electrical signals, whereas in a fiber network, bits are available in the form of light pulses. The
parameters of the medium and signal can be used to determine the quality and characteristics
of data transmission. Guided media is also referred to as wired media. Sometimes its also
referred to as bounded media because it is bounded to a specific limit in the communication
network. In guided media, the transmission signal properties are controlled and focused in a
fixed constricted channel, which can be implemented with the help of physiologically
connected contacts. One of the most prominent aspects of Guided Media is its fast
transmission velocity. Other reasons why users choose directed media over unguided media
include transmission security and the ability to regulate the network within a limited
geographical area.
Various types of guided media are based on the type of connecting material used for creating
the network are:

Guided Media

Twisted Pair Cable Coaxial Cable Fiber Optic Cable

Unshielded Shielded
Twisted Pair Twisted Pair
(UTP) Cable (STP) Cable

Fig. 4.1
 1. Twisted Pair Cable:- Twisted Pair Cables are created by twisting two different protected
cables around each other to make a single cable. Shields are often built of insulated
materials that allow both cables to transmit independently. This twisted wire is then
enclosed inside a protective coating to make it easier to use. Twisted pair cables are
generally of two types:
 Unshielded Twisted Pair(UTP):- UTP is made up of two insulated copper wires twisted
around one another. This cable can block interference and does not require a physical
shield for this purpose. It is employed in telephonic applications.
Advantages of UTP
 Low cost.
 Provides High Speed.
 Easy to install.
Disadvantages of UTP
 It is susceptible to external interference.
 Due to attenuation, it is limited to short-distance transmission.
 Low performance as compared to STP.
Shielded Twisted Pair(STP):- This cable has a specific jacket (a copper braid coating or a foil
shield) to prevent external interference. It is utilized in high-data-rate Ethernet and telephone
voice and data channels.
Advantages of STP
 High speed than UTP.
 Better performance.
 No crosstalk(or interference).
Disadvantages of STP
 Difficult to install and manufacture.
 Expensive.
Coaxial Cable :- Coaxial cables are copper cables with better shielding than twisted pair cables,
so that transmitted signals may travel longer distances at higher speeds. The shield minimizes
electrical and radio frequency interference. Coaxial cabling is the primary type of cabling used
by the cable television industry and is also widely used for computer networks, such as
Ethernet. The core/inner copper wire in centre and is made of solid conductor. It is enclosed in
an insulating sheath. The second /outer copper wire is wrapped around, and is used to protect
from external electromagnetic interference(Noise). This all is covered by plastic cover used to
protect from physical damage such as fire or water.
Fiber Optic Cable:- A fiber optic cable is made of high quality of thin glass or plastic and is used
to transfer digital data signals in the form of light up to distance of thousand of miles. Fiber
optic cables are not affected by electromagnetic interference, so noice and distortionis very
less. It carry communication signals using pulses of light genereted by small lasers and light
emitting diode(LEDs). The cable consist of one or more strands of glass, ech only slightly thicker
than a human hair. The centre of each strand is called the core, which provides the pathway for
light to travel. The core is surrounded by a layer of glass called cladding that reflects light
inward to avoid loss of signal and allow the light to pass throughbends in the cable. No light
escapes the glass core because of this reflective cladding.

Types of buffering:-
Tight buffered fibre cables
Tight buffered fibre cables are generally constructed with 900μm buffered fibres surrounded by
aramid yarn or e-glass strength members jacketed in an LSZH outer jacket. They can be used
both indoors and outdoors and are designed in such a way that the buffering material is in
direct contact with the fibre. This structure protects individual fibres during the handling,
routing and connecting process.
The main use of tight buffered cables, also known as riser cable or fibre distribution cable, is
within buildings and campuses, and are generally installed on cable trays or in conduits.
Therefore, they are suitable for internal plant or building networks.
There are two main types of tight buffered cable structures, breakout cable structure (also
known as fan-out cables) and distribution structure. The distribution cable design is more
compact than the breakout structure, however, the tight-buffered fibres inside the cable are
only bundled in a single outer jacket for protection.
Within breakout cables, each simplex cable has its own aramid yarn strength member and
jacket. These subunits are wrapped in a polyester tape and sheathed in LSZH. This means that
the cable can be broken out into separate simplex cables for individual use. The breakout cables
are designed for installations requiring a reliable design in which protection from other
mechanics and the environment are required. These cables are some of the easiest to install for
direct termination of connectors to sub-units and direct run to panels.
Loose tube buffered cables :-
Loose tube optical fibre cables, consist generally of 250 micron fibre core, installed in bundles
within a tube. A single tube may consist of 12 individual fibre cores. Each of these 12 fibre tubes
may then be bundled with other 12 fibre tubes, to make up a single cable of multiple fibre
cores, e.g 12 x 12 fibre tubes = 144 fibre loose tube cable.

This example of a multi loose tube cable, would consists of up to 144, 250μm optical fibres in 12
fibre gel-filled loose tubes. The tube design allows groups of fibres to be dropped-off at
different points without interfering with other tubes being routed to separate locations. This
cable also generally contains a central strength member to provide more sturdiness to the
cable.
Furthermore, the outer sheath and type of material used also provides suitability for external or
outside plant use. It features water blocking tape, rodent proofing (e.g. steel wire armour),
termite resistance, sacrificial sheaths and many other potential benefits when used in outside
or harsh environments.
Indoor Fiber Cable
In terms of indoor fiber optic cables, distribution cable, breakout cable, ribbon cable and LSZH
cable are some popular types. Distribution cable and breakout cable all contain several
jacketed simplex optical fibers packaged together inside an outer jacket, but in distribution fiber
optic cable, tight-buffered fibers are bundled together, with only the outer cable jacket of the
cable protecting them. Besides, buffered fiber in distribution cable is 900 µm, which is smaller
in size and costs less than breakout cable. Distribution cable is usually installed in the intra-
building backbone and inter-building campus locations. And breakout fiber optic cable is
suitable for short riser and plenum applications. Ribbon cable includes up to 12 fibers contained
side by side within a single jacket and is often used for network applications and data centers.
LSZH cables are offered as an alternative for halogen-free applications. They are less toxic and
slower to ignite which makes them a good choice for many internal installations.

Distribution Fiber Cable

Distribution fiber cables are the most popular indoor optical cables, which are smaller in size
and lighter in weight. These cables are used in short, dry pipe, riser and booster applications.
Distribution fiber cables are double-buffered and can be terminated directly, but because their
optical fibers are not individually reinforced, these optical cables need to be disconnected with
a "distribution box" or terminated in a patch panel or junction box to protect a single optical
fiber.

Breakout Fiber Cable

Breakout fiber cable is also called fan-out cables. Breakout fiber optic cable is made of several
simplex cables bundled together inside a common jacket. It is suitable for pipeline operation,
riser and booster applications. The outer sheath includes a ripcord, which can be removed
quickly and easily. The purpose of the branch cable is to allow the internal cable sub-units to be
easily exposed to any required length.

Ribbon Fiber Cable

Ribbon fiber cable uses many optical fibers side by side in a single sheath. The cables usually
have up to 12 fibers and have a very small cross-section. They are used to connect equipment,
network applications, and computer data centers in cabinets. Generally, there are two types of
outer jacket of ribbon optical cables: non-flame retardant and formulated flame retardant. The
former is generally used for outdoor factory applications, while the latter is generally used for
indoor applications.

Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable Types

In terms of indoor fiber optic cables, however, tight buffered cables, loose tube cables,
armored cables, and submarine cables are some common popular fiber cable types. Among
them, submarine fiber optic cables become more and more popular in recent years. These
cables are used in fresh or salt water. To protect them from damage by fishing trawlers and
boat anchors they have elaborately designed structures and armors. Another cable has armors
is an armored cable. Armored fiber optic cable includes an outer armor layer for mechanical
protection and to prevent damage. They can be installed in ducts or aerially, or directly buried
underground. Armor is surrounded by a polyethylene jacket. Tight-buffered cable and loose
tube cable are two early common outdoor fiber cables. Tight-buffered cables have the riser and
plenum rated versions. These cables are flexible, easy to handle and simple to install. In loose-
tube cables, tube encloses multiple coated fibers that are surrounded by a gel compound that
protects the cable from moisture in outside environments.

Armored fiber cable

Armored fiber cable is used for outside plant applications. Usually they have metal armor
between the two jackets to prevent rodent penetration. It can withstand crush loads, so it can
be used for direct burial applications, or for data centers where cables are installed under the
floor or installed in dust and air. Armored cables are conductive, so they must be properly
grounded.

Submarine/Underwater Fiber Cable

Submarine fiber cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry
telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea, also lake or lagoon. The optic
fiber used in undersea cables is chosen for its exceptional clarity, permitting runs of more than
100 kilometers between repeaters to minimize the number of amplifiers and the distortion they
cause.
Aerial/Self-supporting Fiber Cable/ Messenger cable
Aerial fiber cable can be tied to messenger cable or other cable (common in CATV), or have
metal or aramid reinforcements to make them self-supporting. Aerial fiber cable is usually used
for outside installation poles. The laying method of aerial fiber cable is not difficult to
implement, because it can be installed using existing overhead poles, which saves a lot of time
and cost.

Hybrid Cable
A hybrid cable incorporates optical fibers and copper wires within the same jacket and is a
medium for both power supply and data transmission. This is why hybrid cables are typically
used to connect switches and APs or connect switches and remote units on campus networks.
As future-proof WLAN technologies, such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, gain momentum, the
conventional twisted pairs cannot keep pace with the bandwidth needs of these technologies.
Not only this, optical fibers cannot be used for PoE power supply. This is where the hybrid cable
comes in.
There are hybrid optical and electrical cables that are used in wireless outdoor Fiber To The
Antenna (FTTA) applications. In these cables, the optical fibers carry information, and the
electrical conductors are used to transmit power. These cables can be placed in several
environments to serve antennas mounted on poles, towers, and other structures.